Are you passionate about providing leadership for hospice services? Do you feel called to provide direction that provides stellar services to patients, their families, and the community?

Are you passionate about providing support to patients and families in order to maximize quality of life? So are we. We believe that every day is a gift. We are committed to providing excellent care to our patients and their family and we believe that our associates are the difference.

Reverence Home Health and Hospice, in joint venture with Ascension at Home, a premiere hospice organization has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Hospice at their Grand Blanc location!

Jim (pictured on the right) trained as a Hospice Associate/Volunteer in March of 2018 and was assigned to visit our patient Doug (pictured on the left), 88, in May. Although Jim saw other patients as well, Doug held a special place in Jim’s heart for their unique connection of shared faith and life values.

Since Doug’s passing in early January, Jim has felt this loss deeply, but shares his joy for having had a special role in Doug’s journey at his end-of-life.

While at Doug’s Funeral Celebration, Jim reflected on the many stories that Doug had shared of his childhood and his life, and often quotes a favorite saying of Doug’s that exemplified his life, and was shared in their weekly visits many times over:

“Everyone is my friend.”

Volunteer Jim attended Doug’s funeral and submitted the following report:

“As I finish my last report on Doug it is with great sorrow and great joy! It has been an experience that I will cherish the rest of my life. From a patient to a friend that I grew to love and respect with each visit.

As I sat in the Home going celebration with his family and friends, I was so aware of God and the love that this man had for his family and friends. I am reminded of something he said many times – “Everyone is my friend.” Approximately 300 people attended and I was able to give sympathy to his daughter Patricia and his son Dennis. I met several of Doug’s family members. A special announcement was given in thanks to Ascension at Home Reverence Home Health and Hospice. A very big thank you for the great service given to Doug and his family by the Team!

As I put closure on this experience I want to thank our Volunteer Coordinator and the rest of the team for giving me the opportunity to serve with you for God.

I am reminded of what Jesus said … to love God, love people, and love through serving. God Bless!

I am fully convinced that Doug and I will meet again in heaven.

Thanks again, Jim.”

Becoming a Reverence hospice volunteer can lead to unexpected relationships and life experiences.

Thinking of volunteering?

Fill out an application and begin your path today.

According to Wikipedia, the definition of a hobby is, “a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, during leisure time.” While that is certainly true, there are benefits beyond the pleasurable stress relief of undertaking a pastime for relaxation – here are a few of those benefits:

Joy. The obvious feeling of joy you can have participating in an activity or interest is of course worth mentioning and a vital experience as a human on their journey through life.

Scientifically, years of research has shown that participating in an activity of our choosing reduces the negative stress we can feel from what life throws our way. Perhaps a new diagnosis, hospice admittance or loss of a loved one has your world turned upside down. And, patients aren’t the only ones who benefit from a hobby – caregivers are under extreme levels of stress and anxiety, too. A hobby allows them to focus on other things, if even for a short time. It’s a very cathartic process.

Another benefit of having a hobby is that many are group activities – interests that can be shared with others, which leads to socialization. Sharing the joys of say, quilting, with a group of equally enthusiastic quilters tends to melt the stress right off and leave one feeling a positive sense of community and togetherness. In this way, a hobby can be a gateway out of loneliness for those who find it difficult to meet others, or simply don’t know where to start. These two factors alone lead to better overall mental wellbeing.

A hobby can also sharpen the mind. Studies show that an unused brain is more likely to succumb to decline. Hence the expression, “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” Using cognitive function is a key factor of almost any hobby. The hobbyist finds themselves making choices, absorbing information, flexing the memory, and solving problems. Mental wellbeing can be a direct result of a well excercised mind. Participating in a hobby you enjoy is a great way to do just that.

Variety in what the mind is absorbing plays a part in it’s fine tuning, too. Think of it as a juggling act in your head. The juggler, if left with nothing to juggle, sees his ability slip away if he never practices. Meanwhile the juggler who spends time throwing bean-bags into the air and catching them, sees the basic skill maintained and can move on to practicing juggling other objects too. By bringing new items into his act, it could make simply juggling just bean-bags mundane. If your mind is actively balancing multiple hobbies of different sorts, and constantly challenged by new things to learn, it is more likely to maintain basic cognitive function over time.

Hobbies encapsulate the little things in life we choose to enjoy. We enrich our lives, share our knowledge with others, and live life to the full when we engage in activities that strengthen our mind and our hearts. January is National Hobby Month, a perfect time to consider the mental wellbeing having a hobby can provide. What will your new hobby be?

Reverence Home Health & Hospice honors our nations veterans. In a show of appreciation we are hosting veteran pinning ceremonies at several of our local centers. Reverence staff, as well as family and friends, are invited to attend. All veterans at these facilities will receive pins.

Reverence Home Health & Hospice Clinton Township is looking for special people like you to make a difference in the lives of those in our community with life-limiting illnesses.

Volunteers are needed to provide in-home or nursing home visits to hospice patients. Your caring presence allows family members the chance to run errands and get a break from caregiving, or lonely patients to have visits from a new friend. Volunteers are needed for clerical assistance and special events at our Clinton Township office.

Our patients reside in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and St. Clair Counties, and you can choose the geographic areas that are most convenient for you. The scheduling depends upon patient needs, and your availability. Our patients request volunteers during the day, in the evenings, and on week-ends, and so your time and talents will be appreciated whenever you are available.

We have four upcoming training sessions in the metro Detroit area. If you are interested or have any questions, please call or email Sarah Hemenway, 586-464-4865, Sarah.Hemenway@ahah.net

Angels are revered as caring guardians, healers and comforters. They conjure images of peace and well being. ‘Be an Angel’ day asks us to take on some of these aspects, even if just for a short time, and to act angelic toward our fellow beings.

Angels are tireless, patient, understanding, and love unconditionally. They embody the care giver, the mother and the nurturer. Despite much of their work going unseen they do not waiver, nor does their demeanor falter. Ever vigilant, angels listen to the needs of others and answer the call with a gentle smile.

It is a simple notion – selflessly help others with an open ear and a warm heart, refusing to allow anything to bring you down. By demonstrating endless compassion, loving strength, and divine patience we too can be angels each and every day.

Debra Stupka is a registered nurse at Reverence Home Health and Hospice. She took a moment to share with us her experience, a little about what hospice care means to her and the lessons it has taught …

‘As a Hospice nurse I have learned to strive for a deep respect of patients/caregivers and their well being. Intention reminds me of what is important not only in my actions but also serves me as a blueprint in life and how I approach humankind.

Hospice honors the ability to connect with another person/family in any given moment and not just on the job. Caring moments can actually be a turning point in anyone’s life if it touches another persons’ humanity.

Hospice is sacred work in that we work with others’ life force and not just our own. There have been times I have wondered if this is the very reason I have crossed so many paths.

Often I get asked if my job is depressing. No it is not, it can be sad at times. As a hospice nurse I am able to lighten burdens, alleviate physical symptoms, encourage open discussions about death, and ease fears allowing more space for patient and family to nurture one another to make as much room for love as possible.

I know death is not an easy subject for most and has to be mentioned at some point in the care and we have recognized when to tread lightly in speaking of death. Peaceful death is an essential human right and the spiritual needs of the dying human have to be met and respected.

For me there is no more charitable act than easing pain, suffering, and at the same time helping the dying to a peaceful transition from this life. Hospice has taught me so much about not judging others, accepting all lifestyles and cultures.

It is a very humanistic approach and we are healers for the patient. Not in the sense that we will cure them but in the sense of providing a peaceful and dignified journey to all.’

Thank you Debra for sharing your voice, and for your service as a hospice nurse.

Camp Bravehearts is a weekend camp for kid’s age 6 to 17 who have lost a loved one. Traditional camp adventures are combined with special activities that teach coping skills, honor memories of a loved one, and offer friendships with others who also are grieving.

The weekend special activities include creative arts, music, grief education, and honoring memories. On Saturday night, the group will launch their handmade memory boats in a ceremony that symbolizes a goodbye to their loved one.

Staff from Reverence Home Health & Hospice who specialize in grief counseling and support will work with the kids throughout the weekend to help them understand their feelings of loss while honoring and cherishing the memories of those special people. Each person expresses grief differently, and the Reverence team is there to help the kids through family issues, feelings of loneliness, and stress management while cherishing the memory of those they have lost.

Kids also can enjoy traditional camp fun all weekend long – hiking, canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts, and group sports. Most activities are outdoors.

This year’s camp will take place Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22 at Camp Copneconic in Fenton. There is no cost to attend Camp Bravehearts. To register, please call (810)-579-7588. Spots fill quickly, so be sure to register as soon as possible!

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month, but just what does ASHA, SLP, CCC, mean?

Well ASHA stands for American Speech-Language Hearing Association and SLP stands for Speech and Language Pathologist. They hold a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited program, complete a postgraduate clinical fellowship, and pass a national examination to receive their professional credential: the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Did you know?

6-8 million Americans have some form of language impairment (asha.org)

Grand Blanc, MI, March 3, 2016 — Reverence Home Health & Hospice – Genesys Health System division – was named one of the Top 100 home health agencies in the United States for 2015. HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of agencies and honors them annually with the Award of Excellence.

Winning home health and hospice agencies are ranked by a collection and analysis of publicly available performance measures regarding quality outcomes, best practice implementation, patient experience, quality improvement and consistency, and financial performance.

The 2015 HomeCare Elite list is compiled annually by National Research Corporation and DecisionHealth to recognize the top performing and most successful home care providers in the United States.

“The 2015 HomeCare Elite winners deserve credit for demonstrating high quality care in their communities,” reports Christine Lang, vice president of Product Development for OCS HomeCare, the sponsor of the award. “As quality care initiatives become top-of-mind for healthcare providers, we recognize this as a remarkable achievement.”

Reverence Home Health & Hospice provides care statewide through the Michigan Health Ministries of Ascension – Borgess Health, Genesys Health System, St. John Providence, St. Joseph Health System and St. Mary’s of Michigan.

Reverence offers a comprehensive continuum of home-based care, provided by a specialized, multi-disciplinary team who will partner with patients to develop a personalized plan of care. CONTACT: Daniela Scholl St John Providence Health System, Clinton Twp, MI 586.753.0731 daniela.scholl@stjohn.org The team includes nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, medical social workers, registered dietitians and home health aides, who work under the direction of the patient’s physician.

Reverence Home Health & Hospice also offers hospice services, infusion services and grief support. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information on Reverence Home Health & Hospice, call 888-2-HOMECARE.